Political unrest somehow fuels a kind of fear unlike any other. Every four years (sometimes more or less), our country faces a struggle within itself as different political factions vie for the privilege of serving as president of the United States. Our collective unrest is growing toward a crescendo on November 8, when we will learn who will lead our country for the next four years.

Everyone has an opinion on what’s going to happen, and whether our lives will be better or worse because of it. Depending on who you talk to, the end is nigh—stock up on bottled water and spam while you can. Politics is important, but it is a small thing to a Creator who can turn a king’s heart as easily as he can turn a stream (Proverbs 21:1).

God is still reigning

But here’s the truth: no matter who our president is, he or she cannot sustain our country, not even for a second. God establishes and removes leaders (Colossians 1:16-17, Daniel 2:37). He tosses his head back to laugh at anyone who thinks they have power that he doesn’t (Psalm 2). Moment by moment he upholds the entire universe (Hebrews 1:3). The God who created the world and everything in it doesn’t depend on us to vote in the “right” leader (Acts 17:24-25). We are citizens of the United States, yes, and as such, we have the right and privilege of voting, but even more than that, we are citizens of a better kingdom, in which God rules as a good, perfect king (Hebrews 11:13-16, Philippians 3:20, Ephesians 2:19-20).

Our current political climate exposes political idolatry in which we’re prouder to be Americans than we are to be called children of God. When our primary allegiance is to a nation—which, remember, has only existed for 240 years—we misplace our hope, thereby missing out on a better kingdom in which God reigns forever in perfect love and perfect justice (Revelation 1:4-6).

God is not surprised

God knows each day of our lives–not one escapes his notice and involvement. Not a day goes by that he doesn’t hear the praises and cries of his children. Never once in all of history has God been surprised at anything that has occurred.

But every day is a brand new day to us. We wake up without knowing what a day holds. Sure, we keep calendars and planners, but the God who numbers the hairs on our heads ordains everything (Matthew 10:26-31).

The God who knows what has been, what is, and what will come is the God that we trust (Revelation 1:8). “In God we trust” is printed on our currency, and it’s our only hope for Election Day and Inauguration Day and every other day. God’s plan for the world cannot be thwarted by such a small thing as an election (Isaiah 46:8-10).

While we’re surprised and often fearful, we can find peace in the midst of turmoil knowing that God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). Thanks to the Holy Spirit, we can live without fear of tomorrow (John 14:16-17, 26-27).

Our mission doesn’t change

For thousands of years, the people of God have had one mission: to proclaim the excellencies of God to those who do not know him (1 Peter 2:9-10). We are called to make disciples in all the world (Matthew 28:28-30), regardless of who takes the presidential oath in January.

The mission of God transcends political agendas and party platforms. Politicians change. Public opinions change. God remains the same (Hebrews 13:8), and he calls his people to live with a heart on mission in a world that’s lost in the darkness of sin. The same God who cares for us is rescuing a people for himself, from every nation, tribe, and tongue throughout the world.

We are united by something stronger than a candidate

The biggest loss for the church in our political climate is if we try to figure out whether people are with us or against us based on how they voted. What’s beginning to look like frayed friendships and disunity now could grow into division unless we remember our unity in Christ. A year from now, when the election and inauguration have come and gone, when the dust has settled on the most contentious and ridiculous election of our lifetimes, will you still be friends with people who voted differently from you?

Voting is good. Taking a stand against abortion, misogyny, racism, and abuse is good. But we must do so knowing that the kingdom of God isn’t pro-Trump or pro-Clinton. It’s pro-Jesus, whose work in the world is accomplished by his Spirit using his people, regardless of who serves as president.

As such, we must work to maintain love and unity in the church and in our friendships (Romans 12:16-18, Romans 15:5-6). God is writing each of our stories differently. The things that are most important to me may not be most important to you, and that’s fine. But no matter what happens on November 8, we must remember that because of Jesus, we have more in common than we have differences (Ephesians 4:1-7). Because of Jesus, we can truly love one another (Ephesians 5:2, 1 Timothy 1:5), we can think of each other more highly than ourselves (Romans 12:3), and we can seek the good of one another rather than seeking the pride of being right.

So on November 8, vote (or don’t—whatever gives you a clean conscience) and trust God, knowing that he won’t be surprised by the outcome, and his plans cannot be thwarted by a politician. Regardless of who serves as our 45th President, we have God, we have each other, and we have a job to do.